Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-01-19
HICKORY GROVE, Jan. 18th, 1887

The curtain has at last fallen upon the
tragedy of C!uverius, and the case remanded
to that highest court before whose bar all
hearts are open, aud all secrets revealed.
Public sentiment-the voice of the people
believed by many to have been potent
factor in the decision of this tragic occur
rence), is not the voice Of God, nor are the
officers of the law. judicial or executive, iu
fallible in judgment, but are rs other men,
prone to all the weaknesses and frailties, in.
separable from human nature. But who
can truthfully say, that in the case of the
Commonwealth VS.. L. ]. Clurerius, the
scales of Justice havo not been held with en
even and unaltering hand. The crime with
its preceding and attendant circumstances,
was one of ruthless and atrocicus cruelty,
aud tho logic of events pointed with uner
ing and unmoving finger to the accused.
The Jury, selected under the watchful eye of
able, skilful and experienced counsel who
subsequently fought over every inch of the
ground, was considered Mt the time one Of
more than average intelligence and respecta
bility; the prosecuting attorney and his
assistants, men as much accustomed TO be
fessional pride, or desire for enhanced repu.
taton; the judge in whose court the case
was tried and whose expressed opinion
conceded with the verdict found, is man
against whose character for ability or prob-
ty, no evil thing has ever been charged the
Judges OF tho Court OF Appeals who con
rmed the action of the lower court, and
refused retrial are men of whom it would
be a disgrace to the State to say were ignor-
ant of the law and the rules of evidence and
in their decision were governed by cruel
hatred of the prisoner or desire TO pander
to an unreasoning and blood thirsty public
opinion. Last, but not least, our chief mag
istrate the man whom we have delight
ed 10 honor, whose name is a syn
onym for all that is brave, hon
est and true, whose nature it is
to do justice and love mercy-after care
full and conscientious review of the evidence
"tad no doubt of the prisoners guilt, and
saw no hook upon which to hang hope or
ground for Interference" Notwithstanding
all this, for weeks the newspapers have been
teeming with articles, critical and denunci-
atory Of those whose painful duty it has
been to vindicate the majesty of the offend
ed law. Men and women, assuming prefer
natural wisdom. but really under the inAu.
ence of egregious vanity and self conceit,
have flouted with contempt and contumely
the conclusions of those whose sworn duty
it was 10 investigate and weight, step by
step, every circumstance that could throw
light upon that deed Of darkness Passion
ate and frantic appeals have been made to
the higher law. The Bible has been quoted;
sentimental twaddle-stale gush-has been
poured out by the bucketful, and the annals
of the inquisition ransacked to find paral-
lei to this fair and open trial in Virginia of
to-day by Virginia judge and Jury
Is it not time to call halt upon this sort |
of thing? Have not we people of Virginia
felt enough of the effects of the sway of
higher law?" Ours is government of
written law; a concrete, tangible barrier to
anarchy and misrule. Break down that |
barrier and what woes unnumbered rush in
Let all good citizens acquiese in the decis-
ions of our courts and sustain by an enlight
ened public sentiment those public servants
whose ofttimes irksome duty it is to execute
the mandate of the only legitimate inter-
prefers of our laws, thereby fostering and
that reverence for the law and
confidence in it's administration which is
The foundation for all good government,
and by which alone our rights and liberties
can be maintained and preserved Let US
not, in morbid sympathy and pity for the
criminal. forget our adherence for the crime
and the necessity for lis punishment